Like any normal millennial, I hate cooking at home. I have many reasons, but among them is the fact that I’m forgetful and I don’t have basic cooking skills. I have been distracted and left my apartment in the middle of making dinner, and I have also burned macaroni and cheese before.
Lately, however, I’ve been more open to the idea of making food at home thanks to a new concept of cooking – the smart stove knob. These knobs help alleviate the stress of over/undercooking and the fear we all have (and one some of us have experienced) of leaving the house and forgetting to turn off the stove. Luckily for those of us who can’t remember to turn a knob but don’t mind relying on technology, in addition to these smart knobs, there’s also an ‘app for that.’
Who Thought of Smart Stove Knobs?
Turns out, there are a few players out there in the game of smart Stove Knobs. Who knew, right? One honorable mention is Meld, a Seattle-based startup that excelled expectations in their own Kickstarter campaign before cutting it short after being acquired by a larger company. Another company with a similar concept to Meld is Inirv, whose sleek design looks like they created the Nest of smart knobs. It goes without saying, that with so many companies investing in this new concept, and the existence of competition already, there’s a possibility smart stove knobs are the future of kitchen tech.
How Do They Work?
In short, it’s all about temperature. The main goal of these smart stove knobs is to ensure you cook your meals at the perfect temp every time. “They say baking is a science and cooking is an art, but the temperature part of cooking is very scientific,” said Meld CEO and cofounder Jon Jenkins. “What we tried to do is take the part that’s science and what humans are bad at and let you do the part that’s art — the flavor.”
The knobs, each equipped with a motor with a battery that lasts about six months on a single charge, simply take the place of your existing stove knobs. The knob syncs to your phone via bluetooth, where you can alter the temp through an application on your device. As a bonus, these knobs also help keep your family safe. The knobs have built-in motion sensors to tell when you’re not there so they may turn themselves off to avoid any bad situations. In addition to the knobs, Inirv also has a sensor for gas and heat to self-alter the temp on your stovetop and alert you of any changes even if you’re miles away from home.
Final Thoughts
A smart knob that makes sure my food is perfect every time I cook? A device that’s going to keep everyone in my house safe by turning itself off if I’m forgetful and leave without doing it myself? Sign me up! Smart knobs are going to bring on a culinary revolution for amateur and professional cooks alike.
